Toy vehicle

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a toy vehicle, particularly for track-guided car racing circuits, that comprises a drive motor ( 10 ), which has a drive shaft ( 12 ), and comprises a driven axle ( 14 ), which is provided with wheels. A transmission ( 16 ) is mounted between the drive shaft ( 12 ) and the driven axle ( 14 ), and the transmission ( 16 ) is provided in the form of a manual transmission ( 16 ) that is shifted by the direction of rotation of the drive motor ( 10 ).

[0001] The present invention relates to a toy vehicle defined in claim 1, in particular used in lane-guided car racing, comprising a drive motor fitted with a drive shaft and a driven axle equipped with wheels, a gear unit being mounted between the drive shaft and the driven axle.

[0002] Illustratively and as regards to toy autoracing in lanes, the object of a race is to move a toy vehicle manually as fast as possible over the tracks by controlling the vehicle's speed, without the vehicle thereby leaving the track in unwanted manner. Conventionally the toy vehicle is fitted with an electric motor longitudinally integrated in it, as well as a drive shaft projecting from one motor end and terminating in a gear unit. A pinion is mounted at the end of the drive shaft near the gear unit. The common axle of the powered wheels runs through the gear unit and is fitted with a crown gear. Inside the gear unit, the pinion meshes with the crown gear, different numbers of pinion teeth and crown gear teeth entailing different transmission ratios.

[0003] Moreover a steered toy vehicle is known form the German patent document A1 27 22 734 where, by engaging a clutch and by means of the direction of rotation of an electric motor, the vehicle's front steering is moved into the right or left end positions in order to move the toy vehicle from one side of the lane to the other. In order to drive the toy vehicle always in the same direction even though the direction of the electric motor is alternating, a cage is pivotably mounted on a drive shaft of the electric motor and encloses both a first pinion rigidly joined to the drive shaft and a second pinion engaging the first one. Depending on the direction of rotation of the electric motor, the cage each time pivots into a particular end position, the second pinion engaging a first crown gear and a second crown gear in a first end position, the two crown gears being mounted on one axle of driven wheels. In this configuration the driven-wheels axle is always powered in the same direction independently of the direction of rotation of the electric motor.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to improve to such an extent a toy vehicle of the above kind that even more realistic behavior of driving and steering shall be attained from the speed control means.

[0005] This problem is solved by a toy vehicle of the above kind by means of the features of claim 1. Further designs are defined in the subsequent claims.

[0006] In the invention, the gear unit is a transmission unit driven by the direction of rotation of the drive motor and comprising two gears of different transmission ratios, a first gear being associated with a first drive motor direction of rotation and a second gear being associated with a drive motor direction of rotation which is the opposite of said first direction of rotation.

[0007] This feature offers the advantage that, in simple manner and in the absence of additional switching elements, a gear shift device of different transmission ratios shall be configured between the drive shaft and the driven axle. In this manner the toy vehicle acquires the additional function of gear shifting without thereby entailing additional control elements. Gear shifting is illustratively provided by electrical commutation, frequency of control or phase shifting the vehicle potential, this entailing reversal of the motor's direction of rotation.

[0008] Preferably the transmission unit shall be fitted with two different gears, a first gear being associated with a first motor direction of rotation and a second gear being associated with the motor direction of rotation which is opposite the first one.

[0009] Appropriately the gear unit is designed in such a way that independently of the motor direction of rotation, the drive of the drive axle is always in the same direction.

[0010] In a preferred development of the present invention, the transmission unit comprises a mechanical barrier capable of assuming two positions and designed and configured in such manner that shifting the transmission unit is precluded when the drive motor direction of rotation is reversed in a first barrier end position, while in a second barrier end position shifting is unhampered. As a result reversing the drive motor direction of rotation selectively allows operating in forward and reverse motions or at different speeds/gears.

[0011] In an especially preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transmission unit comprises a first pinion irrotationally affixed to the drive shaft, a cage which is rotatably joined to the drive shaft and which keeps a second pinion engaged with the first pinion and which together with the second pinion is pivotable about the drive shaft acting as the pivot axis between tow end position, further a first gear irrotationally linked to the driven axle and a second gear irrotationally linked to the driven axle, said first and second gears being fitted each with a different number of teeth and being configured in such a way that, in a first end position of said cage, the second pinion shall mesh with the first gear and in a second cage end position the second pinion shall mesh with the second gear. If a mechanical barrier is included, it will be designed in a way, when locked, to preclude the cage from pivoting.

[0012] The first and/or the second gears are illustratively crown gear(s).

[0013] The invention is described below in relation to the drawing.

[0014]FIG. 1 is a topview of preferred embodiment of a transmission unit for a toy vehicle of the present invention in first gear,

[0015]FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation,

[0016]FIG. 3 is a topview of the preferred embodiment of the transmission unit of FIG. 1 in second gear,

[0017]FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation,

[0018]FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation of an alternative embodiment of a transmission unit of a toy vehicle of the present invention in first gear and fitted with a mechanical barrier acting on the cage,

[0019]FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 5, in first gear and with unlocked barrier,

[0020]FIG. 7 shows the embodiment mode of FIG. 5 in sectional elevation, in second gear and fitted with the mechanical barrier for the cage, and

[0021]FIG. 8 is a sectional elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 5 in second gear and with unlocked barrier.

[0022] The preferred embodiment of a toy vehicle of the present invention shown merely in cutaway form in FIGS. 1 through 4 comprises a drive motor 10, a drive shaft 12, a driven axle 14 for wheels (not shown) and a transmission unit 16 mounted between the drive shaft 12 and the drive axle 14.

[0023] The transmission unit comprises a first pinion 18 rigidly affixed to the drive shaft 12, a cage 20 which is rotatably linked to the drive shaft 12, a first crown gear 22 irrotationally mounted on the driven axle 14 and a second crown gear 24 irrotationally mounted on the driven axle 21. The cage 20 encloses the first pinion 18 and additionally supports a second pinion 26 in such a way that said second pinion meshes with the first pinion 18.

[0024] The cage 20 is designed and mounted in such a way that it can be pivoted jointly with the second pinion 26 about the drive shaft acting as the pivot axis between two end positions without the first and second pinions 18 and 26 disengaging from each other. In the end positions, the cage 20 rests against corresponding stops 28 (FIGS. 2 and 4). The two crown gears 22, 24 are configured in such manner that, in a first end position of the cage 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second pinion 26 meshes with the first crown gear 22 and, in a second end position of the cage, such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second pinion 26 meshes with the second crown gear 24.

[0025] The crown gear 22 has fewer teeth than the second crown gear 24 and as a result different transmission ratios are operative in the two end positions of the cage 20 from the drive shaft 12 on the driven axle 14.

[0026] The rotational coupling between the drive shaft 12 and the cage 20 is arranged in such manner that when the direction of rotation of the drive shaft 12 is reversed, first the cage 20 rotates along with the drive shaft 12 until the cage 20 comes to rest against one of the stops 28. Because cage 20 remains in the particular end position while the drive shaft 12 continues rotating and presses the cage 20 against the particular stop 28, engagement assuring force transmission between the second pinion 26 and the particular crown gear 22 or 24 is established.

[0027]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a situation wherein the drive shaft 12 together with the first pinion 18 rotates in the first direction denoted by the arrow 30. The cage 20 rests against the upper stop 28 of FIG. 2 and the second pinion 26 meshes with the first crown gear 22, as a result of which the axle 14 is driven in the direction of the arrow 34. In other words a first gear has been selected, entailing a corresponding transmission ratio from the drive motor 10 to the axle 14.

[0028] After the direction of rotation of the drive shaft 12 has been reversed in the direction of the arrow 32 in FIG. 4, the cage 20 pivots from the upper position shown in FIG. 1 into the lower position shown in FIG. 3, as a result of which the cage 20 now rests against the lower stop 28 of FIG. 4 and the second pinion 26 meshes with the second crown gear 24. Accordingly the second pinion 26 drives the driven axle 14 in the direction of the arrow 34 (FIG. 4). In other words, a second gear has been selected; the second gear providing a lower transmission ratio than the first gear. As shown by directly comparing FIGS. 2 and 4, even though the direction of rotation of the drive motor 10 has been reversed, the axle 14 is still driven in the same direction 34 for both selected gears.

[0029] Remarkably, transmission unit 16 does not require additional remote-controlled shifting elements. Instead of using an additional shifting element, shifting between gears is accomplished by reversing the direction of rotation of the drive motor 10.

[0030] Direct comparison of FIGS. 1 and 3 shows that the axial length of the second pinion 26 is such that, in spite of the different diameters of the first and second crown gears 22 and 24, the two end positions of the cage 20 provide reliable engagement between the second pinion 26 and the particular crown gear 22 or 24.

[0031]FIGS. 5 through 8 show a preferred further development of the present invention, where functionally identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, said components already having been described above in relation to FIGS. 1 through 4. The embodiment of FIGS. 5 through 8 comprises an additional mechanical barrier 36, for selectively preventing pivoting of the cage 20 when the drive motor's direction of rotation is reversed. This arrangement enables the toy vehicle to move forward and backward. This mechanical barrier 36 is operated manually for instance.

[0032]FIG. 5 illustrates a case wherein the cage 20 assumes the “first gear” position (similar to the case of FIGS. 1 and 2) but the mechanical barrier 36 is locked to prevent cage 20 from pivoting. If the direction of rotation of the drive axle 12 is reversed in the manner indicated by the double arrow 38, the direction of rotation of the driven axle 14 reverses also, as denoted by the double arrow 34. According to the direction of rotation of the drive motor, therefore, the toy vehicle drives forward or backward, shifting from the first gear into the second gear being precluded by the mechanical barrier 36. The mechanical barrier 36 is unlocked in FIG. 6 and therefore the cage 20 again can be appropriately pivoted upon a change in the direction of rotation of the drive axle 12. Operation in first and second gears similar to that discussed above in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2 is then attained.

[0033]FIG. 7 shows a case where the cage 20 is in the “second gear” position (similar to the case of FIGS. 3 and 4), but the mechanical barrier 36 is locked and hence the cage 20 is precluded from pivoting. If the direction of rotation of the drive axle 12 reverses, as indicated by the double arrow 38, the direction of rotation of the driven axle 14 also reverses, as denoted by the double arrow 34. Accordingly and depending on the direction of rotation of the drive motor, the toy car moves forward or backward while the mechanical barrier 36 prevents shifting from the second gear into the first gear. Because the mechanical barrier 36 is unlocked in FIG. 8 the cage 20 is again able to pivot according to reversals in the direction of rotation of the drive axle 12. In this latter case operation in the first and second gears takes place similarly to the above description relating to FIGS. 3 and 4. 

1. A toy vehicle, in particular auto races within guide lanes, comprising a drive motor (10) fitted with a drive shaft (12), further a driven axle (14) equipped with wheels, a gear system (16) being configured between the drive shaft (12) and the driven axle (14), characterized in that the gear system (16) is designed to be a transmission unit (16) shifted by means of the direction of rotation of the drive motor (10).
 2. Toy vehicle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the transmission unit (16) comprises two operative gears, a first gear being associated with a first direction of rotation (30) of the drive motor (10) and a second gear with a direction of rotation (32) of the drive motor (10) running opposite the first direction of rotation (30).
 3. Toy vehicle as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the transmission unit (16) is designed in a manner that the drive of the driven axle (14) always is in the same direction (34) regardless of the direction of rotation (30, 32) of the drive motor (10).
 4. Toy vehicle as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the transmission unit (16) comprises a mechanical barrier (36) of two positions which is designed and mounted in a manner that, in a first position of the mechanical barrier (36), shifting of the transmission unit (16) when there is a change in rotational direction in the drive motor (10) is precluded and in that, in a second position of the mechanical barrier (36), shifting of the said transmission unit is unhampered.
 5. Toy vehicle as claimed in at least one of the above claims, characterized in that the transmission unit (16) comprises the following components: a first pinion (18) irrotationally joined to the drive shaft (12), a cage (20) rotationally coupled to the drive shaft (12), the cage (20) keeping a second pinion (26) engaged with the first pinion (18) and being pivotable between two end positions jointly with the second pinion (26) about the drive shaft (12) acting as the axis of pivoting, further a first gear (22) irrotationally joined to the driven axle (22) and a second gear (24) irrotationally joined to the driven axle (14), the first and the second gears (22, 24) exhibiting different numbers of teeth and being configured in a manner that, in a first end position of the cage (20), the second pinion (26) meshes with the first gear (22) and, in a second end position of the cage (20), the second pinion (26) meshes with the second gear (24).
 6. Toy vehicle as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the first and/or the second gear (22, 24) is a crown gear.
 7. Toy vehicle as claimed in claim 4 and claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the mechanical barrier (36) is designed and mounted in a manner to preclude the cage (20) from pivoting when it is in its first position. 